HF ALE radio systems

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Office of the Chief Information Officer and Office of Homeland Security is seeking industry information through a Request for Information (RFI) to identify qualified contractors capable of providing annual services, maintenance, and training support for High Frequency Automatic Link Establishment (HF ALE) Radio Systems, specifically CODAN and DATRON brand radios. Prospective contractors must demonstrate certification on both CODAN and DATRON brand radios and obtain manufacturer approval to perform component-level maintenance, installation, operation, and training services. The government is using this RFI as a market research tool to develop its acquisition strategy and understand potential small business and competitive procurement opportunities. The RFI requires respondents to submit detailed company information, qualifications, business size classification, socio-economic status, similar work experience, project approach, and preferred contract type through an online form. Responses are due by 5:00 PM Mountain Time on December 29, 2025, and this RFI does not constitute a commitment to issue a solicitation or award a contract.

The contract is not designated as a set-aside and no incumbent contractor information is disclosed in this pre-solicitation notice. The anticipated contract will be structured as a firm-fixed-price agreement with a base period of 12 months and four 12-month option periods, running from March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2031, covering three USDA locations: headquarters in Washington, DC, the U.S. Forest Service Office in Elkins, West Virginia, and the Bannister Federal Complex in Kansas City, Missouri. The scope of work includes annual periodic maintenance, system outage and repair support, and system operator training for radio communication systems critical to USDA's continuity of operations in accordance with OSTP/OMB Directive 16-1 and the Federal Mission Resilience Strategy of 2020. While specific award values or budget ranges are not disclosed in this pre-solicitation notice, the contract duration and multi-location nature suggest a substantial engagement. Key deliverables required from the contractor include a maintenance project plan, site visit reports, and quarterly communication test support across all three designated facilities.